AMERICA/COSTA RICA - President of Bishops' Conference on the bill for homosexual unions: the Church sees the family as “a value of utmost importance, to be defended from anything that could threaten its unity or existence”

San Jose (Agenzia Fides) – Approve unions between persons of the same sex is an unconstitutional action. This is what was affirmed by Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Hurena of San Jose, President of the Costa Rican Bishops' Conference, in reference to the draft bill being considered in the local government.
Giving an address on September 3, in front of the Human Rights Commission of the Legislative Assembly, the Prelate mentioned that “protecting the intrinsic nature of the family institution” is an obligation of the State and that “no union between persons of the same sex can be founded on full marital consent.”
During his address, Archbishop Barrantes made reference to the various fundamental texts, unclusing the Universal Human Rights Declaration, the American Convention on Human Rights, the Convention on Children's Rights, and the nation's Constitution. Analyzing the issue, the Archbishop of San Jose mentioned how five of the main reports on this issue “address the juridical nature of the family institution and all do so in a completely similar manner,” concluding that “the family is a natural element and is fundamental to the state.” Thus, the family itself “should receive the maximum protection from the state, especially in the moment of its constitution and throughout the process of raising children.”
Making reference to the draft bill in question, the President of the Costa Rican Bishops' Conference noted that although the Preamble mentions “unions between persons of the same sex, as distinct from marriage,” the general impression of the bill “reflects the contrary,” and thus, the subtle desire to “place these unions on the same level as marriage, whether it be in rights or in duties, and not only in questions of patrimony but also in personal rights.” The bill is “evidently contrary” to the national Constitution, which considers marriage as the “essential basis of the family,” therefore beneficiary of a special protection on the part of the government.
In concluding his address, Archbishop Hugo Barrantes mentioned that the Church sees the family as “a value of utmost importance, to be defended from anything that could threaten its unity or existence” and exhorted those present to carry out their mission “with sincerity, rectitude, charity, and courage,” making laws on the basis of ethical principals and in favor of the common good.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2009)